Greg Collins, who spent a career in conservation and city planning in the San Joaquin Valley, is the guest of honor at Sequoia Riverlands Trust’s annual dinner, set for Thursday, Oct. 10 in Visalia.
“Evening Under the Oaks” begins at 5:30 p.m. amidst the stately trees at Kaweah Oaks Preserve, one of SRT’s first conservation spaces. Guests will be treated to live music, a catered meal and silent auction. Speakers will share highlights of the organization’s recent successes, due in part to the foundation established by Collins.
Collins is the former president of SRT, he served as mayor of Visalia and recently co-authored the book, “Seven Generations: The Past, Present and Future of the Tulare Lake Basin,” with James Holloway. Collins will be honored with the Alan George Conservation Award.
The award is named for the late Visalia resident whose efforts were instrumental in Kaweah Oaks Preserve’s formation. The award acknowledges a spirit of conservation and environmental protection.
Past recipients include rancher Bill Clark, former Sequoia-Kings National Park superintendent William C. Tweed, retired College of the Sequoias biology professor Rob Hansen, teacher Nancy Bruce, and Michael Chrisman, a native Visalian who served on multiple boards, including as president of the Water Education Foundation.
SRT executive director Logan Robertson Huecker said Collins is joining a respected group of conservation-minded leaders.
“His efforts in advancing sustainable land management practices and his dedication to preserving the region’s natural habitats have made a profound impact,” she said.
SRT is a regional nonprofit land trust that, according to its mission statement, aims to “strengthen California’s heartland and the natural and agricultural legacy of the southern Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley.”
It engages with landowners, farmers, conservationists, businesses and governmental agencies to protect more than 43,000 acres of natural lands across nine San Joaquin Valley counties, including within the Carrizo Plain National Monument.
Tickets for the event may be purchased through the SRT website, www.sequoiariverlands.org.
All proceeds from the evening will support the trust’s conservation projects and educational programs.
